Bon Appétit

Riesling gives the dressing a delicate flavor. Crumbled blue cheese and toasted walnuts are sharp-crunchy contrasts with appeal.

Spiced cranberries top chilled orange slices for a sweet-tangy contrast in this colorful salad.

Miguel Ravago -- who is chef and co-owner of Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas -- specializes in authentic food from the interior regions of Mexico. This fajita-style dish was inspired by one of his creations.

A high-protein dish loaded with flavor. Purchased sorbet makes a nice dessert.

A fat-free spicy bean mixture and a sprinkling of low-fat, high-flavor feta cheese are sandwiched between whole wheat tortillas for quesadillas that even health-conscious eaters can enjoy. Rich in carbohydrates, this dish provides lots of energy.

Gorgonzola cheese flavors this hearty main course. Serve with a chilled Beaujolais.

This Indian-inspired salad can also be served warm as a side dish.

You don't have to cook the lasagna noodles first - just assemble the dish, cover and bake.

Black beans teamed with the red, yellow and green bell peppers provide an interesting contrast in color and texture.

This inventive salad is a terrific addition to any summer buffet. For this party, also prepare red cabbage coleslaw, or buy some at the market or a take-out spot.

The filling of coconut, bananas and cream is sweet, chewy and absolutely delicious. Coconut also makes an appearance in the cookie-like crust.

An easy side dish with flavor from green onions, parsley, oregano and Parmesan.

Fresh cherries take center stage in this version of an old favorite.

Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are layered with white chocolate cream and store-bought puff pastry for a beautiful finale.

This spice rub is also great with chicken. Team the steaks with a salad of boiled green beans and quartered radishes, and offer some favorite beer.

Because the more traditional dark fruitcakes aren't really to her liking, senior editor Sarah Belk created this one, filled with her favorite nuts and dried fruits. To make these gifts even more festive, she suggest decorating the glazed cakes with additional dried fruits and nuts.